Overall Obama

[BabyMine]

How do you think Obama is doing overall?

The reason I ask is becasue I haven't been able to follow a lot of what has been happening.

[mommylamb]

Well, I think most people will be colored by their feelings about Obama going into the Presidency. This is total stream of consciousness, so I appologize in advance.

I voted for Obama, and I continue to like him a great deal. I do think there have been some mistakes made by the Administration, and some of those are a result of Obama's particular style. All Administration's make mistakes though.

The things I like about him are that I think he's a really smart person. I think he's very diplomatic. I think a lot of the things I like about him were summed up in the Q&A he did at the Republican Policy meeting the other week. I liked the fact that he could respond off the cuff and that he wasn't tolerating any of the BS talking point partisanship.

I do think that the recovery act was critical and that things would have been much worse without it. Or at least I believe the vast majority of economists from both ends of the poltical spectrum who think the recovery act was critical. I'm not an economist, but when there is that level of agreement by the experts from both sides of the spectrum, I think that counts for something. Now, I do think there was some stuff in that act that was more Christmas tree than recovery, but the vast majority was germaine.

Health care-- Well, I support health care reform. I would have liked to have seen a public option, but I'm not throwing the baby out with the bath water, so I'm not that sort of liberal who thinks we should do nothing without a public option. I like the fact that Obama is willing to take what he can get (which sadly looks like nothing at the moment). To me the biggest mistake in the health care debate was a when Senator Reid basically told Senator Snowe he didn't need her help. She had supported a public option trigger, which was in the bill as reported out of the Finance Committee. Basically that means if insurance companies would be given so many years to control their costs. If they couldn't prove that costs were going down than a public option would be triggered in the out years to compete with them. I think it was an excellent way of doing things and I think Reid should have bent over backwards to keep Snowe on board. She would have given cover to the moderate Dems like Lincoln and Landrieu, and might have brought Collins along with her. I wish Obama had stopped him. But, Reid was more focused on solidifying the Democratic base in Nevada because of his fears about his own reelection and came out and said the Senate bill would have a public option and that pubic option would not have a trigger. He lost Snowe and it all went down hill from there. It was a huge mistake. I think we would have a bill by now if he hadn't done it. It makes me think he's an awful leader.

I wish Obama had been more forceful with Congress on this. This goes on the House side as well. I dislike Pelosi even more than Reid because I think she is just as partisan as any of the Republicans and I just dislike the bickering. But the House is always going to be crazy side of things, so it's less problematic than Reid's lack of leadership in the Senate. Don't get me wrong, Pelosi is a strong leader, but I think she has an enormous ego and doesn't do well by her caucus.

The other big Administration priority was climate change, and that's even more controversial than health care. I'm not at all convinced that cap and trade is the right way to go because it's such a complex system and I don't like the derivatives trading portion of the concept. I also think that the EPA cost estimates of the various cap and trade plans are very optimistic. Now, I totally believe that global warming exists and that it is exaggerated by human activity. I'm just not convinced an economy wide cap and trade program is the way to go. I also think you do need to weigh the impact on the economy and the reality that we don't have the technology yet to move energy from wind and solar from the places where it can be created most efficiently to the places where it's needed. And, we don't have the battery storage technology to compensate for the times when the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine. We still need baseload energy sources.

I'm glad to see the Administration put money where their mouth is on nuclear power because I think that a baseload source of energy that doesn't have carbon emissions is really important. But, I think that the Administration made a mistake by bowing to Reid and canceling the Yucca Mountain project on nuclear storage. We are paying huge royalties to the nuclear facilities for the "short term storage" of nuclear waste in the various facilities that are not designed to store that type of material.

There's a lot more I could say on the energy topic. But I've probably already bored you to death. Sorry... I'll stop now...

Anyway, all in all, I still like Obama. I wish he had kept Congress on a shorter leash though.

[egoldber]

Rather than bother to reply I will just say :yeahthat:

(Although I know nothing about cap and trade so that was very educational for me. :) )

[o_mom]

There's a lot more I could say on the energy topic. But I've probably already bored you to death. Sorry... I'll stop now...



I'll say that I'm not bored at all by your posts. I love reading them. If I could only find a news source that was as clear and well-written!

[mommylamb]

I'll say that I'm not bored at all by your posts. I love reading them. If I could only find a news source that was as clear and well-written!

:D Thanks!

[kdeunc]

I think that maybe the Administration needs to hire you to present the agenda to the people. You do better in 1 message board post than they seem to have done all year!! :)

[wellyes]

I love your posts too! Though it's really intimidating to post after you :)

I am still an Obama supporter, but when I was thinking of what to write in this post I mostly came up with excuses for what hasn't been accomplished and explanations for the troubles he's faced. Which is a shame. I was so hopeful when we had him come into office with a Democrat-controlled Congress.

But the truth is, he did walk into the Presidency with the economic crisis and TARP underway which is an enormous handicap. I trust him, I think he's very smart and an honorable person, and I sincerely hope he can accomplish his goals and I can say I was proud to support his Presidency. So far, still waiting.

I also wish his administration was more communicative. I feel like I mostly hear about his initiatives from people who are against them -- for healthcare I heard enormous amounts about "socialized medicine" and "death panels" but very very little about the specifics of what was actually on the table. I know that's the press's love of sensationalism and controversy, but I'm disappointed Obama had so little control over the narrative.

[mommylamb]

I'm sorry I don't mean to be intimidating. I just enjoy politics, and I'm on the opinionated side :wink2:

Seriously though, my job requires me to get way more into the weeds than the average person who didn't work in this field ever would want to. I learn a lot from the other BBB people who have interest and knowledge about so many different things that I know nothing about. And, I also really like hearing the different perspectives on political issues from people on this board. My opinion is only the be all end all in my own mind, and I know lots of people would disagree with me on many issues. I enjoy being challenged by all of you, and I'm also happy to try to break down some of the policy issues into layman's speak when I can. I think too much is way over complicated and people tune out because of it. Though to be honest, I know a lot more about energy and climate than I do about health care, and really in both areas I only know enough to be dangerous. I'm a generalist, so I know a little bit about a lot of different policy issue areas, but not a whole lot about anything.

[bubbaray]

I think people here feel a little sorry for him -- he seems "embattled".

[kdeunc]

I think people here feel a little sorry for him -- he seems "embattled".

I think I would agree with that term. Unfortunately it seems to be his own party that can't get it together and govern! I am growing so tired of the lack of leadership among our "leaders". I wish someone would have the guts to actually worry about the country and not their re-election chances.

[brgnmom]

I think I would agree with that term. Unfortunately it seems to be his own party that can't get it together and govern! I am growing so tired of the lack of leadership among our "leaders". I wish someone would have the guts to actually worry about the country and not their re-election chances.

:yeahthat:

The weekend before the MA senate election, President Obama visited Masachusetts to express suport for the Democratic candidate... it was a little too late though. The newly elected Senator Brown is clearly voting against the health care reform bill and the voters in MA still favored him. I am all for health care reform, but I don't think that President Obama voiced the *specifics* in his plan very well to the general public. Plus, I think that many have been intimidated by the increased control that the government would have over their health care choices/options. While President Obama's motivations for health care reform are admirable, I do think that some of his propositions for change are just skimming the surface.

I'm still hopeful that Obama will create positive change in our country, and I think he is doing a great job given all the challenging demands he is facing (war, health care reform, economic depression, to name a few).

[SnuggleBuggles]

I agree with the "embattled." I am so, so sick of politics and how it seems that your party completely defines you. Why does everything have to be so partisan and difficult. I am annoyed with the House and Senate more than the president.

Beth

[kcandz]

Unfortunately it seems to be his own party that can't get it together and govern! I am growing so tired of the lack of leadership among our "leaders". I wish someone would have the guts to actually worry about the country and not their re-election chances.

I disagree slightly. Yes the democrats can't quite get it together but I would like to think that is because the various representatives actually think for themselves. I am more disgusted that the republicans have united together in a groupthink to block anything just to hobble the administration. Bush got stuff through because sometimes democrats agreed with him. It seems if a republican dares think for him/herself in this administration they risk political backlash from the other insiders.

One outsider's point of view.

[mommylamb]

There is no doubt that the Republicans are more organized than the Democrats. The fact that they know the elections in November are likely to favor them means that they have even more incentive to stick together right now. But I also blame the Democratic leadership for not trying to work more with the small handful of moderates. A year ago during the recovery act debate 3 Republicans (though one later became a D) voted with the Democrats in the Senate. They were pretty brave to do that considering the Tea Party movement and even a mainstream movement to punish Rs who vote with the Ds. But the Democratic leadership never built on that. Again, I see Reid not working with Snowe on health care as the last straw.

But I also think the filibuster is totally misused. I think the Dems misused it to an extent when they were in the minority, but the Republicans are much worse IMO. Filibusters are supposed to be to allow more time for debate, not kill things entirely. I almost wish you needed fewer votes for cloture considering how both parties misuse the filibuster.

And I agree that there were a lot of instances of Ds working with Bush, especially in the early years on things in ways Rs are not willing to do with Obama. Things like No Child Left Behind and Prescription Drugs are the big examples.

[ellies mom]

I think I would agree with that term. Unfortunately it seems to be his own party that can't get it together and govern! I am growing so tired of the lack of leadership among our "leaders". I wish someone would have the guts to actually worry about the country and not their re-election chances.

:yeahthat:

I think Obama has done a good job with what he has been given. So my big problem has not been with him but just about everyone else on both sides of the aisle. People all over this country are hurting and they are busy playing games to further the individual parties and politicians. It makes me sick.

[BabyMine]

I'll say that I'm not bored at all by your posts. I love reading them. If I could only find a news source that was as clear and well-written!

:yeahthat: Thank you so much Mommylamb. I have been trying to follow politics closer this time becasue I voted and like Obama. I had no idea until the debate over health care and the State of the Union address that politics is just kids in a pissing contest. I voted for Obama becasue I saw a spark in his eye. He wanted to join everyone together and do what was good for the people. He has found out the hard way that the good of the people isn't the top agenda. It is getting re elected or making him look bad. I wanted the public option and I can't believe why someone wouldn't want competition. I feel bad for him at times. I wish both parties would stop bickering and worring about their own jobs and just do something. This just fustrates me becasue they are all acting like children.


Another question: I heard Senator Brown call himself an Independent. How does that make him a Republican.

[mommylamb]

:

Another question: I heard Senator Brown call himself an Independent. How does that make him a Republican.

He's a registered Republican. The only Independents in the Senate are Bernie Sanders (who self-identifies as a socialist and caucuses with the Dems) and Joe Lieberman, who also caucuses with the Dems. I'm sure he meant that he is independently minded, not an independent as in not associated with either party.

[maestramommy]

I think people here feel a little sorry for him -- he seems "embattled".
:yeahthat: Dh calls it "beleaguered."

he had such an ambitious platform and jumped into the big ones right away....I wouldn't be surprised if he only gets one thing accomplished and it takes the rest of his term. But even that one thing would be impressive. I think the trouble is that people are impatient, and don't realize that things take time, esp. when both houses are squabbling.

[gatorsmom]

I think too much is way over complicated and people tune out because of it.

I'm very guilty of this. So here's another big THANK YOU from me. You did an incredible job of explaining this. The fact that you think it was "stream of consciousness" is even more impressive. If I tried to explain politics in the same manner everyone would be like, "huh? :confused:"

[codex57]

He's done exactly what I expected, which is not much.

He talked a big game, but he had like no experience. And while Bush was stupid, at least he recognized his limited brain power so he was at least smart enough to surround himself with experienced power players. So, stuff still managed to get pushed thru with Bush.

Obama seems vastly more intelligent than Bush. Unfortunately, this meant he thought he could handle this stuff largely on his own terms. System is just too big and has chewed him up and spit him out.

Has he managed to do any of his campaign promises? I didn't care for either candidate so I didn't pay much attention, but I know he promised stuff like increased transparency, less special interest influence, etc. Started out promising, but it seems his staff has either forgotten all that or can't fight the machine that is Washington.

[mommylamb]

Well, the recovery act in and of itself was a pretty substantial piece of legislation. Had he gotten either health care or climate change done in a year that would have been a huge deal. These are pretty big items.

I think his cabinet and other advisers are some pretty heavy hitters, so I do think he has surrounded himself with people who have a lot of experience. I would have liked to see Daschle at HHS, and I was disappointed that he messed that one up for himself. Not that I think Sebelius is bad, but I think Daschle's relationships in the Senate may have helped some. I do think that Nancy Ann DeParle, who is Obama's "health care czar" in the white house isn't the best negotiator. I have not been impressed by her at all.

As for increased transparency, I'm really not sure what the complaint is. Other than the negotiations that go on inside Senators offices, it was all out there for people to see if they bothered to look. Most people complain that there isn't transparency, but they're not even trying to find out what's actually going on. I think the non-transparency claim is pretty bogus. Obama answered this during that Q&A with the Republicans pretty well.

And, there are fewer lobbyists involved in this Administration than any other that I know of. Some of my lobbyist friends are still waiting out their window (the Administration instituted a time window in which anyone who was a registered lobbyist can't get a job with the Administration with very few exceptions). To be honest, I think that's a stupid rule. A lot of lobbyists are people who know an awful lot about specific topics and could be a huge asset to the Administration. And, as for concern about special interest influence, well, the Supreme Court certainly had something to say about that.

[wellyes]

As for increased transparency, I'm really not sure what the complaint is. Other than the negotiations that go on inside Senators offices, it was all out there for people to see if they bothered to look. Most people complain that there isn't transparency, but they're not even trying to find out what's actually going on.Honestly it never occurred to me to look for source docs on -- I suppose I'd look on the White House website, or my Senators? (Well, my senator is now Scott Brown, so forget about that). And the little I've read of Congressional docs have shown me they're not exactly written for lay people to comprehend. A little experience in analyzing that language goes a long way.

Call me a lazy American, but I want the proposal to be sold to me, and not just by explaining why the current system is so broken. If the news sources are not adequately explaining (I'm talking the Economist, NY Times --- not expecting Katie Couric to explain it in 30 seconds or less) then I wish they'd find way for me to be able to learn, or at least explain where to go.


He talked a big game, but he had like no experience. And while Bush was stupid, at least he recognized his limited brain power so he was at least smart enough to surround himself with experienced power players. So, stuff still managed to get pushed thru with Bush.

Obama seems vastly more intelligent than Bush. Unfortunately, this meant he thought he could handle this stuff largely on his own terms. System is just too big and has chewed him up and spit him out.I'm kinda surprised to see anyone nostalgic for the days of John Ashcroft and Donald Rumsfeld LOL. I do think the Republicans are so, so, so much more effective than the Dems, not just in the Cabinet but overall. I don't agree with the Rep platform but I do acknowledge their effectiveness.

[egoldber]

And, there are fewer lobbyists involved in this Administration than any other that I know of. Some of my lobbyist friends are still waiting out their window

Yeah, DH would have loved to have applied for an administration job when he was laid off, but he has to wait out the window.

[mommylamb]

Wellyes, I didn't mean to imply that you or anyone else was lazy, just that the information is available and hearings/markups were all televised and/or on the web. Now, they didn't televise the few Senators sitting around in Reid's office putting together the bill (There were two different Senate bills-one out of the HELP committee and the other out of Finance- that were merged), but that sort of thing would be insane to televise.

As for bill details, The Kaiser Family Foundation did a really good job with a breakdown comparing the various bills (the two Senate bills and the House bill) to each other that showed all the key issues. They did a wonderful job with their materials breaking it all down into regular person speak. Even though I do read statute often, it takes a long time to get through it because it is tough, especially because it's usually amending existing statute, which means if you don't have the underlying statute open at the same time it can be difficult to really understand what is going on. It's pretty hellish. I actually didn't do much on health care this year for work, just kept up with it, so I didn't bother with the statute, and instead relied on Kaiser, CQ and some of the other summary groups.

[mommylamb]

I'm kinda surprised to see anyone nostalgic for the days of John Ashcroft and Donald Rumsfeld LOL.

And Ashroft was head and shoulders above his successor.

[gatorsmom]

:popc1: May I just say thank you. i'm totally enjoying this thread.